Towards Orthodox-Catholic Reconciliation

Caution

The desire to celebrate Easter in common is a laudable one, whatever the solution adopted. A word of warning seems desirable, however, concerning Vassula and her followers. This lady may be sincerely convinced that she is receiving messages from Christ and that she is a “prophet”. It is necessary to point out though that she has been expelled from the communion of the Orthodox Church and that the RC Church does not recognize the supernatural origin of her “revelations”. These seem to me to be not only full of doctrinal errors which diverge from the Tradition received by both Churches, but to be based on claims outlandishly remote from the spirit of Christian prophecy. The latter, whether Biblical or ecclesiastical, always presupposes the conscious consent of the person to whom the charismatic gift is imparted; Vassula claims to have received at least her first “revelations” as the result of “automatic writing” reminiscent of spiritualist practices. I have also been personally the witness of division among communities caused by the actions of her followers, who sometimes use dishonest tactics in order to gain or to falsely claim the adherence of others to their cause. None of this seems likely to be the fruit of the action of the Holy Spirit. Even if the cause be a good one, I suggest that if the Vassula movement is at the origin of this petition, readers of this blog would be ill advised to lend credibility to their activities by signing it.

See also this notification on Ryden from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.

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4 Responses

I have not been able to verify any formal decree suspending her from the sacraments of the Orthodox Church. However I will note that in addition to her theological pronouncements, which are not consistent with the teaching of the Orthodox Church, she has very publicly engaged in acts which are normally understood to sever ones relations with The Church. Most specifically she has on multiple occasions taken Roman Catholic sacraments. The fact that this was not a one time mistake but has been repeated strongly suggests to me that she has “self excommunicated” herself from the Orthodox Church. Obviously this is not any juridical pronouncement which I am not competent to make. But I feel comfortable saying that taking non-Orthodox “sacraments” is typically seen as a form of resigning from the Church. I certainly would question any claim that she is an Orthodox Christian in good standing withe the Church pending some clarification from competent authority.

I wanted to point out that there is indeed a decision from 2001 of the Synod’s Committee on Heresies (of the Greek Orthodox Church) on Vassula Ryden, in which they declare that Mrs Ryden has excluded herself from the Orthodox Church, even if she continues to present herself as a member of it. This information (unfortunately only in Greek) can be found in the official website of the Greek Orthodox Church: http://www.ecclesia.gr/greek/press/ekklisia/EKKLISIA_2001_Iounios/6PAPAS.PDF (see the two last pages). Other declarations from Orthodox representatives regarding Mrs Ryden can be found here: http://www.infovassula.ch/tliggreekorthodox.htm .

Finally, as an ex-follower of Mrs Ryden, I wish to stress the wisdom of Fr. Paul’s words of caution.

Prayers for Unity

O Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, thou didst promise to abide with us always. Thou dost call all Christians to draw near and partake of Thy Body and Blood. But our sin has divided us and we have no power to partake of Thy Holy Eucharist together. We confess this our sin and we pray Thee, forgive us and help us to serve the ways of reconciliation, according to Thy Will. Kindle our hearts with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Give us the spirit of Wisdom and faith, of daring and of patience, of humility and firmness, of love and of repentance, through the prayers of the most blessed Mother of God and of all the saints. Amen. – Fr Sergius Bulgakov

O Merciful Lord Jesus, Our Savior, hear the prayers and petitions of Your unworthy sinful servants who humbly call upon You and make us all to be one in Your one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Flood our souls with Your unquenchable light. Put an end to religious disagreements, and grant that we Your disciples and Your beloved children may all worship You with a single heart and voice. Fulfill quickly, O grace-giving Lord, your promise that there shall be one flock and one Divine Shepherd of Your Church; and may we be made worthy to glorify Your Holy Name now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. – Bl. Leonid Fedorov